Honoring Art, Tradition, and Timeless Hospitality at the Hotel Gajoen Tokyo--A 2025 World Cruise Event

We attended the event, even though we had just returned from our Ancient Capitals overland tour. How could we pass up an opportunity to see a hotel billed as "a museum hotel of Japanese beauty"?

May 19, 2025

One hour and ten minutes after returning to Tokyo from our three-day, two-night overland excursion to Nara and Kyoto, we re-boarded the Seven Seas Mariner, only to disembark again and board a coach. We were heading to this evening’s World Cruise Event, Honoring Art, Tradition, and Timeless Hospitality at the Hotel Gajoen Tokyo.

I admit the timing wasn’t the best, and several World Cruise couples on our “Ancient Capitals” overland were ditching the event due to weariness. Still, I was determined to visit the venue. While the dinner and entertainment sounded lovely, it was the art at the storied hotel that I wasn’t going to miss!

Regent’s description (below) was appealing, and it convinced us to take quick showers and dress up—at least a little! We caught the last available bus to the venue around 5:15 PM.

Welcome to the timeless elegance of Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, a luxury boutique hotel with a storied 90-year history. This architectural masterpiece is often called a “living museum,” housing thousands of Japanese masterpieces. Stroll through the hotel’s breathtaking Japanese garden—the property’s crown jewel—and meander along serene pathways flanked by cascading waterfalls, graceful bridges, and tranquil koi ponds..

As the evening unfolds, delight in a sumptuous seated, plated meal showcasing the finest Japanese cuisine. Live music will provide a soothing backdrop, enhancing the enchanting atmosphere of the night. This is more than just an event; it’s an invitation to experience the exquisite fusion of art, history, and hospitality in one of Tokyo’s most revered landmarks.

We were among the last guests to arrive at the hotel and were ushered into a lounge for canapés and drinks. No photos of the lounge! Or the people! Or the food! I was too taken by all the art—everywhere!—to pay much attention. The pace of the last three non-stop tour days had finally caught up with me, and I was running on fumes. I reset my focus and decided to enjoy as much of the event as was prudent while still taking time to admire as much art as possible.

We were summoned into the dining room soon after settling in the lounge with drinks, just as we’d begun an interesting conversation with friends. The table settings were elegant and inviting, and while the food was also elegant, it was a bit too much for me. (If I’d been home after a busy weekend away, I’d have likely fixed grilled cheese sandwiches or ordered a pizza!)

The entertainment continued throughout the meal, but unfortunately, we were seated at a far corner table with our backs turned to the stage. We couldn’t see the Geisha dancers or watch the musicians unless we turned around in our seats. I took a couple of photographs, but mostly listened to the music while conversing with friends. Sherpa enjoyed the first few courses, but we both decided to leave just before the main course was served, opting instead to stroll through the hotel property.

This proved to be a wise decision on our part. If we had waited until the end of the meal, we would have had enough time to visit only the gardens before it was time to board the coach for our return ride to the ship.

We wandered through a few of the open banquet rooms on the third and fourth floors, admiring the carvings, paintings, lacquerware, and the over-the-top opulence of the period art pieces.

The banquet hall’s name, “Ushiwaka,” comes from the carved post entitled “Training of the Ushiwakamaru.” The colored carved posts of heavy hinoki cypress wood on the walls and ceiling originated from Odake Chikuha’s paintings based on Hiroshige’s “Fifty-three Stages of the Tokaido Road.”

A close-up of Genre Painting of Beauties of the Tokuwaga Period, Raden Marquetry by Mitsunobu. Original painting by Kikuchi Kashu (1888-1948)

The entrance to the Japanese-style banquet hall opens to a ceiling and transoms carved in brilliant colors with images of cultural events and feudal lord processions from the Edo period.

A night walk through the courtyard garden—a beautiful space. After walking through the garden and looking at a few art sculptures, we caught the last shuttle bus back to the Mariner. And then WE CRASHED!

Still standing—and even holding hands—on Day 126 of our 150-day World Cruise! People cruising on segments of the world cruise frequently share with us their amazement and concerns about undertaking such a long adventure. “Don’t you get tired of each other?” we’ve been asked repeatedly. “We could cruise maybe 30 days,” they muse, “but never 150!”

Living in a 300-square-foot stateroom plus a 75-square-foot verandah for five months straight has been easier than we expected. It helps that we get off the ship at every port of call and often stay ashore as long as possible. It also helps that we engage in various activities during the day—Sherpa exercises every sea day and many port days as well; I spend several hours each day writing and working with my photographs.

We don’t regret our decision to go on a 150-day World Cruise, not one bit. That said, as we approach the June 6th finish line in San Francisco, we look forward to being in our home, playing with our grandchildren, tending to our garden, and taking walks in the woods. And we are also looking forward to ordering deep-dish pizza or making grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner!